Canon S200 has a
10.0MP 1/1.7 (7.44 x 5.58 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Digic 5 processor. On the other hand, Canon SD980 IS has a
12.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Digic 4 processor.
Below you can see the S200 and SD980 IS sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon S200 and Canon SD980 IS Cameras
As seen above, Canon S200 has a 1.5x Larger sensor area than Canon SD980 IS. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Canon S200
or the
Canon SD980 IS ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1/1.7 versus 1/2.3-inch),
so compare them at the same framing rather than the same focal length.
Put the same focal length on the smaller sensor and it will show less depth of
field, not more, because it also crops tighter. The calculator shows the
full frame equivalent focal length for each body so you can match the framing.
